A wearable EVD system having a ventricular catheter and transducer supported proximately to a patient's ear by a mount, such as supporting headband or ear clip. An adjustable orifice valve or a spring-loaded needle valve is used to control the amount of CSF that drains into a drip chamber suspended on the patient for periodic measurement and emptying into a similarly located drainage bag, thereby avoiding the need for an IV pole and allowing the patient more mobility without disrupting drainage of CSF.

In one embodiment of the invention a catheter (203) comprises a body having at least one inlet aperture (21, 24), at least one outlet aperture (22, 25), and at least one passage (20, 23) between the at least one inlet aperture (21, 24) and the at least one outlet aperture (22, 25). The catheter (203) is provided with pumping means (32) for selectively pumping fluid from one of said apertures (21, 22, 24, 25) to another of said apertures (21, 22, 24, 25). Methods of operating such a catheter are also disclosed.

A shunt including an implantable housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A pressure sensitive valve is contained within the housing at a position between the proximal end and the distal end, and the pressure sensitive valve is capable of controlling a flow of fluid between the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. The shunt further including a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the pressure sensitive valve, wherein the sensor assembly is mechanically actuated and capable of detecting the flow of fluid through the pressure sensitive valve. A condition of the shunt can be detected by detecting a flow of fluid through the shunt and generating a signal indicative of a period of fluid flow through the implantable shunt based on the detecting. The signal can be output to an external device capable of determining, from the signal, whether the shunt is malfunctioning.

Systems and methods for use in monitoring treatment of pressure-related conditions, such as hydrocephalus, include an implantable vessel, and a meter including one or more microfluidic channels connected to the vessel. The microfluidic channels may be configured to detect at least one of pressure and fluid flow rate through the vessel and to be read out remotely by a wirelessly coupled external device. The meter may include a passive resonant (LC) circuit. A dynamic flap may be included in the microfluidic channel that may act as part of the LC circuit. An external device may also be configured to inductively couple remotely to the LC circuit, with-out physical connections to the implantable vessel or pressure meter, and to display a pressure acting on the pressure meter and/or a fluid flow through the meter.

A medical tube, which is inserted into a tubular organ and discharges and suctions fluid, is provided with a tube-shape main body which extends a prescribed length and with a valve which is disposed in a portion of the main body that is inserted into the tubular organ and can discharge or suction a fluid, wherein the valve includes multiple slits which are formed so as to extend axially of the body a prescribed length, reaching from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the main body, and which are provided spaced in the circumferential direction of the main body. Each slit is formed tilted in the same direction with respect to a radially-extending line which passes through the axial center of the main body.

A cardiovascular valve assembly is disclosed including a housing assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion removably attached to the first portion. A valve may be positioned within the housing assembly. The valve, which may be a mechanical valve, a biological tissue valve, or a polymeric valve, may be structured to allow fluid to flow through the housing assembly in a single direction. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly may further include at least one coupling structure provided on the second portion and at least one aperture defined in the first portion, with the aperture structured to receive the coupling structure to couple the first portion to the second portion. Corresponding systems incorporating cardiovascular valve assemblies are also disclosed.

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system.

A method and toolset capable of remotely moving a rotor of an implanted device in a first arcuate direction and detecting a first limit of travel, moving the rotor in a second, opposite direction and detecting a second limit of travel without altering the current performance setting of the implanted device, comparing the first and second limits of travel with known values for a plurality of selectable performance settings, and indicating the current performance setting of the implanted device.

Systems and methods for systems and methods for focal cooling of the brain and spinal cord are disclosed. Some embodiments may be directed to a neuroprotection system that includes a cerebrospinal fluid processing platform. Embodiments may provide rapid and selective spinal cord hypothermia and drainage. Embodiments may be tailored to selective spinal cord cooling, pressure monitoring and automated drainage. Embodiments may enable local hypothermic neuroprotection, limit the stress of systemic cooling, minimize secondary neuronal damage and achieve maximal neuroprotection while at the same time improving workflow as a result of automated drainage. Embodiments may include a multi-lumen catheter, a drainage collection reservoir bag, a pump to circulate coolant, sensor hardware and controllers to modulate the flow of a heat transfer fluid for cooling to modulate therapeutic hypothermia and re-warming. Certain embodiments may include extracorporeal cooling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Certain embodiments may include circulating heat transfer fluid within a CSF-containing space near the brain or spinal cord using a catheter. Particular methods may be used to determine the length and amount of cooling.

A method of treating a central nervous system (CNS) disorder, comprises the steps of inserting into a patient's body first and second conduits so that distal ends of the first and second conduits open to a portion of the patient's CNS with direct access to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and a proximal end of the first conduit opens into a first reservoir of material to be introduced into the CSF and a proximal end of the second conduit opens to drain CSF withdrawn from the CNS in combination with the steps of detecting and analyzing brain activity of a patient and determining a chemical imbalance present in the CSF by one of a microassay of a sample of CSF withdrawn from the second reservoir and the detected and analyzed brain activity. Based on the determined chemical imbalance, the patient is treated by one of supplying an agent to the CSF via the first conduit and withdrawing a quantity CSF via the second conduit. A system for treating disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), comprises first and second conduits, wherein, when in an operative position, distal ends of the first and second conduits open into a portion of a patient's CNS with direct access to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and wherein, when in the operative position, a proximal end of the second conduit opens to drain CSF from the CNS and a first reservoir implantable within the patient's body and holding material to be introduced to the CNS in combination with a first pump coupled to the first reservoir and the first conduit for introducing the material to the CNS via the first conduit and a brain wave detection unit for detecting and analyzing brain waves of the patient.